Posts Tagged ‘Hophead’
Party at the Dispensary, Aldgate
Nov 29th, 2009 |
I’ve written about the Dispensary in Aldgate before in my Aldgate lunchtime series. But on Friday 20th November I left my last job and had my leaving party there. The turnout was very good as you can see from this picture.
Annie, who runs the Dispensary, always keeps the beer well and I was sustained for the evening by pints of Dark Star Hophead and Harvey’s Best. I didn’t try the Itchen Valley Gold or the Dark Star Porter but I’m told they were good too.
If you are ever in the Aldgate area I do recommend the Dispensary for a fine pint – it’s a bit cheaper than some pubs around as well. They put out complimentary nibbles on a Friday evening too.
The Harp Bar, Covent Garden
Oct 5th, 2009 |
I recently revisited the Harp in Covent Garden, London after a break of a couple of months and unbelievably the pub has got even better. I’m told this is due to the fact that the landlady has bought the pub outright from Punch and now has complete control over how it’s run and what beers to stock.
I was a late convert to the Harp some 2 – 3 years ago but now when in the rea it’s a must visit pub. It used to be one of the smokiest pubs in London, but that’s all changed now and the atmosphere is just people enjoying themselves.
The pub is extremely narrow inside and when it’s busy (seemingly all of the time) it can be a struggle to get past the bar to the slightly larger open area at the back. There is a quieter room up the narrow stairs if you need a bit of peace and quiet. Be aware though, the stairs are almost as precarious as those at the Seven Stars in Chancery Lane.
The beer selection will never disappoint as there are 8 different beers on at any one time. The selection varies constantly apart from the two staples and on my last visit the list comprised:
- Harvey’s Sussex Best – a regular here. Almost as good as being in a Harvey’s pub.
- Sambrook’s Wandle – Hoped it might taste like the Wandsworth brewed Young’s ordinary but it’s a different beer completely. Similar colour but much fuller in taste, and maltier. It calmed down to a subtle caramel flavour.
- Dark Star Hophead – As good as you’d expect it to taste but slightly glazed.
- Dark Star Original – Such a deep, dark beer but not as intense as the Espresso.
- Morrisey-Fox Blonde – My first opportunity to try this on draught and much better than the bottles. It’s a strong golden ale – not unlike Summer Lightning but somehow richer.
- Timothy Taylor Landlord – Not tried, but another constant I believe.
- Holden’s Will O Wisp – Not tried
- St Austell Tribute – Not tried
If you’re hungry there are various sausages in a roll to eat assuming there are any left – they’re very popular. These are cooked for you behind the bar.
Update: The Harp now has a website.
Clerkenwell to Angel to Old Street
Jul 23rd, 2009 |
Before I get started on the Winchester trip which happened last night I wanted to finish this one and get it out.
Last week, Jon and I had a strung out pub crawl in London to take in a few places new to us and two of our favourites. It involved more walking than crawls we normally do but it was worth it.
The Jerusalem Tavern
We started at the Jerusalem Tavern in Clerkenwell – surely a favourite of all real ale drinkers in London.
If you’re not familiar with the Jerusalem Tavern it’s a traditionally traditional pub. Lots of wood – walls, benches, chairs, and no carpets. The pub is the London outlet for the Suffolk-based St Peters Brewery and there are usually 4 or 5 draught beers on from their range. There are no handpumps, the beers served from taps in pretend barrels on the back wall of the bar. I’ve no idea how the beer is dispensed then – an electric pump? (The Hoop & Grapes in Aldgate used to have a similar set up.)
I think the Jerusalem Tavern also carries the whole range of St Peters bottled beers too.
We had a lot to get through so quickly moved on to the next one.
The Peasant
At 240 St John Street the Peasant is a cavernous old pub with a mosaic tiled floor and enormous windows. If you read the Beer in the Evening reviews you could be easily put off going here, but I’m glad we did. The pub had a friendly, laid back atmosphere and good beer. I’ll come back for longer next time.
The Charles Lamb
Our next stop was the Charles Lamb just round the corner from Angel tube (at 16 Elia Street). We liked it here and the Dark Star Hophead was superb.
The Charles Lamb is reviewed glowingly at Boak and Bailey’s beer blog – a review which prompted me to want to go. The pub was very busy for a Monday night with a good atmosphere, and good food.
After this we headed off down City Road to an old favourite.
The Wenlock Arms
Another pub that you hope never changes. Visiting the Wenlock Arms (26 Wenlock Road) is a real ale dream come true. There must be at least 8 handpumps and the beers are always tip top.
You can read more on my boyish excitement at finding Brains Dark in the Wenlock Arms in a previous post.
The Old Fountain
Our final stop on the evening was the Old Fountain (3 Baldwin Street) close to Old Street tube station. By the time we got there it was dark and I was feeling a bit tired so I don’t really remember much about the pub other than the very impressive beer selection. I can’t remember what I had but I do remember that is tasted good. Jon’s pint was alright too – whatever it was.
We’ll definitely come back here again. A good pub to combine with the Wenlock and the nearby Artillery Arms for a more compact evening’s drinking.
See this Google map to follow our route.
An Evening Out In Brighton
Jul 16th, 2009 |
Most of my beer drinking takes place in London after work or occasionally in Woking where I live. But just now and again it’s worth getting away somewhere different for an evening.
With a slightly earler departure from work and a bit of time invested on a train you can be in many interesting places. Using the discount available with an annual gold card is useful too.
Late last week it was Brighton’s turn and I’d like to share with you my mini pub crawl of 3 real ale pubs in the seaside city. The crawl doesn’t take you far from the station, and in fact nowhere near the sea but the sound of the seagulls will reassure you that it’s over there somewhere.
So, leave Brighton station by the front entrance and head over to the right of the cab stand and turn left down the hill that emerges blinking from under the station frontage. This is the top of Trafalgar Street. As you go down the hill look out for the first pub on the itinerary – The Lord Nelson at 36 Trafalgar Street.
The Lord Nelson
The Lord Nelson is a traditional Harvey’s pub. It looks tiny from the outside but is actually bigger inside. The Gallery Room out the back features local art and becomes a family room at weekends.
The pub carries most of the Harvey’s range and the beers are kept very well.
Food is not available in the evenings so if you want something to eat it’s best to wait to the next pub – the Basketmakers Arms.
So when you’re ready to move on, carry on down Trafalgar Street and then take one of the roads on the right – Sydney Street is a good one for North Laine shops and then turn left onto Gloucester Place. The Basketmakers is down the hill on the right hand side.
The Basketmakers Arms
The Basketmakers Arms (12 Gloucester Rd) is a Fuller’s pub these days, but was formerly one of Brighton’s Gale’s pubs. This pub is consistently busy but that is due to it being one of the finest pubs in Brighton. It’s a friendly, lively place.
As well as the standard Fuller’s London beer selection, The Basketmakers offer one or two Gales beers and there is usually a guest beer of some sort. The Gales HSB is always excellent, and when available the Gales Festival Mild hits the spot too.
I always eat at the Basketmakers Arms when on pub visits to Brighton as the food is superb. Choose from a varied and reasonably priced menu.
As well as beer and food, the pub is worth a visit just for the collection of old photographs, signs and other memorabilia.
But come on now, it’s time to move on to the 3rd and final pub. So head straight back up Gloucester Road – right to the top, carefully cross over into the middle of the small one way system and turn right into Surrey Street and there you’ll find The Evening Star.
The Evening Star
The tiny Evening Star (55 Surrey St) is run by the Dark Star Brewery so you’ll not be surprised to hear that several beers from their range are available including Hophead permanently, as well as guests from other micros, real ciders, and a good selection of belgian bottled beers.
Now you’ll understand why there are only three pubs on this crawl and that this is the last one. Don’t forget to actually get your train home – fortunately the station is not too far away.
The pub is full of friendly people who love good beer – whether that’s what you’re looking for is up to you. For me the Evening Star is a must for any trip to Brighton.
That is the regular pattern of my evening trips to Brighton, but if you’re feeling adventurous and looking for an alternative then try the Shakespeare’s Head.
The Shakespeare’s Head
Situated about 10 mins walk north-west of the station The Shakespeare’s Head (1 Chatham Place) is Brighton’s Hall & Woodhouse pub.
It’s location means it’s away from the central circuit but it’s still worth a trip – don’t be put off by the dingy exterior. If you like Badger beers then 2 or 3 are available on draught and they carry many of the bottled range too. The Badger Best I had tasted very good.
Another significant reason to visit the Shakespeare’s Head is the famous selection of sausages. First choose your sausages then choose your mash (yes, more than one type) and then choose your gravy. End result is a plate full of heaven.
View a Google map of this pub crawl.
Next week, Winchester.